Listening to Air Legal or Illegal? (plus discussion)

[jwallace15]

So I'm looking at asking for this for Christmas this year. From what I've researched listening to aircraft AM frequencies is legal, but I wanted to ask here just to be safe. I've concluded it's legal to LISTEN, but not to broadcast.

Now referring to the discussion part of the title; do any of you listen to ATC radio frequencies in your spare time? I'm interested in possibly being a pilot when I get older, so I want to start listening to some radio conversations from some local airports (I'm thinking Bishop International Airport (KFNT), or Oakland County International (KPTK)).